Pope Francis celebrated his first Easter Mass from an outdoor altar in St. Peter's Square with 250-thousand Catholic followers and tourists present.

In his Easter message, the pontiff called for peace in all the world and promoted a “renewed spirit of reconciliation” on the Korean Peninsula.

He also urged for a political resolution to the civil war in Syria, saying that the sacrifice of more innocent lives should be prevented.

The pope called on Israel and Palestine to resume their negotiations to end a conflict that has lasted all too long.